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Whole Foods is open for business

Whole Foods Market, originally scheduled to open Nov. 2, opened its doors on Oct. 31.

“Thanks to the hard work of our team members, we were able to open the doors this morning; two days ahead of schedule,” Whole Foods spokesperson Heather McCready said in an email.

The new store at 413 Centre St. will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The grocer’s planned move to JP has been a source of controversy since the Gazette first reported on the plans in January. Whole Foods will replace the now-closed Hi-Lo Market—a grocer that catered to the local Hyde Square area’s large Latino population.

Many JP residents have opposed its opening while many others have said they are enthusiastic about the new grocery store option.

Brian

As a former resident of JP this makes me really sad. Its not that Whole Foods is not a nice store if you can actually afford to buy anything there, it is that it will dramatically alter the character of the neighborhood forever. JP is great because it is not like any other neighborhood in Boston. There is an amazing wealth of diversity, both in people and in locally owned businesses. Those businesses and people can invest in their community in ways that a chain store never will. This is something that should be cherished because it is so uncommon for communities these days. I am afraid that with a whole foods moving in, it will only open the door for a new wave of homogenization/ gentrification. It will end up looking like every other neighborhood in America, full of chain stores that do not invest in local communities and people who are less interested in building a sense of community. Lets face it, when your neighborhood looks like everyone else’s or has all of the same businesses that a neighborhood half way across the country does, what is there to take pride in, other than social status.

What a sad state of affairs.

Joe

JP is already like this – there are numerous chain stores all along Centre Street in JP – 2 CVS’s, Stop & Shop, ACE Hardware, etc. This is a grocery store. They sell food. To people. The fact that Whole Foods is an upscale grocer says more about JP than it does about WF. JP is already “gentrified,” otherwise WF wouldn’t have moved in. It doesn’t make much sense to set up a business in a neighborhood thinking your not going to make money. They moved in because of market testing that showed there is a boat load of money to be made in JP.

Will

Yippiee! I’ve lived in JP for 12 years now and this is a good development. The JPNC is living in the stone ages. I think the proof will be the fact that many many JP residents will shop at WF and the business will be a big success. Clearly, HiLo was not, or it would still be in business….

jpkeith

Wow sure wish we could’ve had that Kmart in Jackson Square years ago. Oh but the community fought it off. Imagine doing such a thing?

ian

awesome, it’ll be great to be able to get quality meats and produce right here in JP and not have to bring my business to other hoods.

Nikki T

Whole Foods – we have been COUNTING the days!! We live just a few doors down and have been admiring the speedy progress. Can’t wait to shop! Welcome to JP!

T Gaffney

I hope Whole Foods realizes that Nov 2 is All Souls Day known in the Hispanic Community as the Day of the Dead. If they are sensitive to our community they will recognize this in some way in their opening.

Guest

All Soul’s Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones for all believers. Does that mean Whole Food is being insensitive to ALL Catholics? Don’t make this into something it’s not. It’s a GROCERY STORE not a church!

Guest

Not sure why the Gazette’s reporting of this issue has been so slanted. MOST of Jamaica Plain is thrilled about this new addition to the neighborhood. What’s unbelievable is that anyone would be opposed. Other good news, the negative few won’t go near the place. The JPNC request was adolescent and unrealistic. Whole Foods will be a great neighbor because they are providing us with a good, clean place to shop. Welcome.

JPforAll

Welcome Whole Foods! I’ll be there on Nov 2nd filling my eco-friendly bags to the brim. Despite what they’d like everyone to believe, the JPNC doesn’t represent the views or interests of all JP residents. Many of us are thrilled about your arrival and will become loyal customers.

JP Mamma

Welcome WFs! My family looks forward to having you in the neighborhood.

Paul Gore

I’m very excited for Whole Foods to open. I hope they have lots of free giveaways on Wednesday!

Marc

Whole Foods has already done a lot of good before they have even opened. Give it a rest. Do the drafters of this CBA really think that Whole Foods will be a detriment to the community? They will be such an asset and it is ridiculous how Whose Foods has villified them and made them the scape goat for gentrification. What about their taxes (hello Federal funding for non-profits, city services, police, etc.) their JOBS (hello area youth, and adults, looking for employment, what’s unemployment at in Mass right now?) their wages (much higher than Mass minimum wage as a starting wage at WF), their healthy food (obesity epidemic) their presence as a strong anchor store in Hyde Square (hello other small businesses in the area who will benefit from increased foot traffic in the neighborhood). They will be good neighbors, so far it’s been short sighted JP residents that have been the bad neighbors. We can’t all work at a non profit or work at a mom and pop shop and this “corporate villain” argument is more than ridiculous at this point.

Birdeagle2

Welcome i can’t wait I just became a vegaterian. i will not have to drive to dedham or brookline.

JP Gal

Welcome, Whole Foods, and thanks for all the good work you have done to preserve the mural and restore the building and grounds!

Reed Miller

I am in disbelief that Whole Foods would open the doors to their store in our neighborhood, claiming in the same statement desire to “have our neighbors get to know [them] as responsible and active community members”, as they denied our Neighborhood Council’s attempts to negotiate a reasonable Community Benefits / Good Neighbor Agreement. We’re not giving up!

JP Jonny

Reed,
Give it a rest already. The Community Benefits / Good Neighbor Agreement was unreasonable and unfair to ask of Whole Foods. How many other stores in Hyde Square or JP for that matter have you asked to do this? It is very hypocritical to hold one store to higher standards than any other because you oppose their move to JP. Whole Foods has a proven track record of being good community members. In fact, they have already proven themselves to be good citizens through their salad bar and monetary donations to the community. Can you name any other retailers who gave back to JP before they even openend their doors?

Get off your high horse and find something constructive to do with your time now that you have lost the WF battle.

Em

They’ve already proven to be a good neighbor. They’re saying no to extortion and unnecessary requests.